Summary

The efficiency of whole body vibration (WBV) for the prevention of osteoporosis is currently being investigated. In animal studies low intensity mechanical stimuli proved to be osteogenic, if they were applied at high frequencies. In animals whole body vibration was highly effective in increasing bone mineral density and bone strength of loaded bones. The results of the very few clinical vibration trials are heterogenous. However, they suggest that WBV may have the potential to reduce osteoporotic risk factors for humans as well. The interpretation of the study results in order to define training recommendations is difficult because of the great differences in the applied vibration stimuli, in the training protocols, in the sample characteristics and in the osteodensitometric measurements. If the benefit of WBV will be confirmed in further studies, WBV training will be a suitable method for reducing the risk of osteoporosis especially in the elderly because due to safety reasons high intensity training stimuli can hardly be realized in this group.